Chicago Bulls forward Luol Deng ready to risk injury in order to compete in London Olympics – NBA Update
Luol Deng has reemphasized his desire to represent Great Britain’s Basketball team at the London Olympics this summer. This despite the fact that the Chicago Bulls forward is nursing a wrist injury.
Deng has been inspirational all season long for the Chicago Bulls, playing a vital part in leading the team to the top of the Eastern Conference and first seed for the playoffs, in the East. He was especially important to the Bulls as talisman Derrick Rose
stayed on the sidelines for large periods due to various injuries.
Chicago’s post season campaign came to a crashing halt at the first hurdle; the team losing out to Philadelphia 76ers in the first round after injuries devastated the roster. Deng himself suffered an injury in his left wrist, but he played through the pain
for the team’s cause, although ultimately in vain.
That though hasn’t deterred the Sudanese born from going to the Olympics, where he plans to represent Great Britain, his adopted nation.
"Since I was a kid growing up, it's something I always wanted an opportunity to be part of,'' Deng said after the Game 6 loss to the 76ers. "I'm going to play in the Olympics.''
Deng has a strong emotional reason for his decision. The player was once a refugee in Egypt, after having fled the violence in his native Sudan. His father was then granted political asylum in England, and Deng honed his basketball skills there.
He thus feels a strong attachment to the county and feels like he has to play. The basketball fans in England too are looking forward to the Bulls star playing in London. Although if his health is in jeopardy, they wouldn’t force him to do it.
"He's a bit of a hero here,'' said Zoe Jewell, editor of the Brixton Blog. "It would be a real shame if he can't play, but I suppose it's not life or death.''
The view in the NBA however, for example that of Houston Rockets assistant Finch, is that the player should not take risks with the injury, and thus with his livelihood.
"It's a delicate one,'' Finch said. "If he were to call and ask me what to do, I'd tell him the same thing I tell him every summer. It's his choice. Make the decision that's best for your life and career.''
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